(866) 552-4866 Emily* loves to travel. When she was younger, her dad would pack the entire family into their suburban each summer and take road trips to as many national parks as possible. By the time she was a teenager, the trips became more exotic, with visits to Africa and even the Northern Lights in Iceland. She also scratched China, Germany, and Australia off her bucket list. Sadly, her love for travel has been threatened in recent years due to chronic edema in legs. Leg swelling is common among older adults, and in Emily's case, it is notably worse on longer trips. Needless to say, Emily now needs to find simple yet effective ways to curb leg swelling on long road trips and flights so she can keep exploring the world without discomfort.
We have all experienced swelling and water retention at some point in our lives. That said, edema is a more serious condition. Sure, edema in legs could be caused by sitting too long on plane flights. Certain medications can also cause excess swelling. But for many older adults, the real culprit is vein disease, and ignoring it could do more than keep you from traveling: it could impact your quality of life.
Our team at StrideCare believes education is the first step to a more active and pain-free life. Let's discuss what edema is, its link to vein disease, and what to do about it. We'll even share a few practical tips to manage symptoms on road trips and flights.
Do These Symptoms of Edema in Legs Sound Familiar?
- Swelling in one or both legs that comes and goes
- Achy or heavy feeling in your legs
- Overall restlessness in your legs
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle cramps and pain when walking
- Discomfort after sitting or standing for too long
- Burning, throbbing, and itching
- Skin that retains a dimple after being pressed for several seconds
- Stretched or shiny skin
- Skin discoloration and thickened skin
- Open sores and ulcers on your legs
Are you looking for answers to edema in legs symptoms? Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to discuss our advanced treatment options.
What Is Edema in Legs?
Edema is a term used to describe chronic and excess fluid in your body's tissues that is trapped and cannot be released. Patients with edema typically notice it more in their legs, feet, and ankles, though it can affect any part of the body. It can also affect anyone but is typically more common in pregnant women and adults over 65.
Swelling and edema can be a result of a variety of non-threatening factors, including excessive sodium intake or blood pressure medication. It can also become more of a problem for avid travelers like Emily, especially on long road trips and airplane flights.
Think about it: When you sit still for hours in a cramped space, especially with your legs bent at the knee and limited chances to stretch out or get up and move around, circulation throughout the body slows down. As a result, blood and lymphatic fluid can pool in the lower legs and feet instead of moving toward the heart. The next thing you know, one leg or foot is larger and more swollen than the other.
In some cases, edema in legs can be simply a temporary annoyance. That said, it is critical to never rule out the possibility of vascular disease.
As we age, our veins are more susceptible to weakening and becoming diseased. As a result, blood that used to be pumped effortlessly throughout our body moves more sluggishly than before. Plaque from poor lifestyle choices can also build up in arteries, leading to fluid retention, excess pressure, and swelling.
A few examples of vascular conditions that can cause edema in legs include:
Varicose Veins — These bulging, twisted, and discolored veins affect roughly 25 million men and women in the United States. This causes leg swelling and edema.
Deep Vein Thrombosis — Swelling in only one leg is the most worrisome sign that your edema could be related to DVT. This is where blood clots form in one of the veins deep within your body. Up to 100,000 people die each year from DVT.
Lymphedema — This condition is characterized by a buildup of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin. It causes chronic swelling that comes and goes.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency — CVI is a condition in which broken valves do not hold a seal, causing blood pressure to build up in the lower legs. This leads to pooling of the blood, known as venous stasis, further progressing to swelling and skin changes.
There is no need to let edema in legs impact your travel plans or your life. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today. Our collaborative approach ensures that you receive the care you need.
How Can I Manage Edema in Legs While Traveling?
1. Make frequent stops on road trips
The natural excitement that comes with traveling might make it enticing for someone to "power through" and make the entire eight, 10, or 14-hour trek without stopping. That's a lot at once, not just from an alertness standpoint, but also because it gives you no room to move around. Instead, err on the side of caution and plan several stops along the way. Even two or three bathroom breaks can go a long way toward improving blood circulation and reducing the chance of swelling and discomfort.
3. Avoid tight clothing
There's a reason why many travelers, whether they go by car or plane—wear baggy sweatpants, loose tops, and overall comfy clothes. For starters, it is more comfortable than wearing jeans or a full suit. Not to mention, it helps with circulation. Blood flow can be restricted by clothing that's tight in the waist, legs, and upper thighs. The same is true for shoes that are too tight or rigid, such as boots. As a result, chronic swelling and edema can set in.
4. Avoid crossing your legs
To piggyback on the previous tip, crossing your legs on a car ride or plane flight restricts blood flow and can make edema in legs worse. Instead, keep your legs straight and as loose as much as you can.
5. Wear compression socks
If you know you have vein issues, compression socks are a great way to manage your travel itinerary. When worn appropriately, they apply gentle pressure to improve circulation, reduce edema, and help support painful legs during plane flights, road trips, and even train rides.
6. Limit salt intake
Salty snacks and fast food are common travel companions, but as we mentioned earlier in this article, extra sodium intake at any age (especially for older adults) leads to fluid retention. Pack healthier options instead.
2. Request an aisle seat
On longer plane flights, consider upgrading to an aisle seat if you are aware of frequent edema and swelling. Aisle seats are slightly less restrictive and can allow you to stretch out a bit more. The same is true for first-class seats, which typically offer more leg room. Once it is safe to do so, there is also nothing wrong with getting up every once in a while to walk the aisle, take a bathroom break, or do calf raises while standing or at your seat.
7. Elevate your legs
This is more for our road warriors than anyone else. Doctors suggest that elevating your legs above your heart for 30 minutes at least four times a day can decompress lower extremity veins and help gravity improve blood flow and reduce edema in legs symptoms. You can achieve this during road trips by reclining your seat backward and putting your feet up on the dashboard if you are the passenger. If you are the only one in the backseat, take advantage of the extra space and angle your seating position so that you can straighten your legs or even prop them up on a pillow.
8. Stay hydrated
Sodas and alcohol can dehydrate you. When dehydrated, your body sends signals to retain the fluid presently in your body and lower extremities, resulting in edema in legs. Staying hydrated and drinking the recommended eight to 10 glasses of water daily helps your body remove waste and maintain a healthy balance of fluids.
9. Talk with your doctor before an upcoming trip
It is always wise to have an open and honest conversation with your vascular doctor, especially if you know you have circulation issues that have led to edema in legs in the past. Your doctor may recommend additional tips. They may also suggest minimally invasive treatments that can improve your symptoms before your next travel event.
Featured in this video is StrideCare's expert Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Osama Abdul-Rahim, M.D., discussing the minimally invasive treatment Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). RFA is a minimally invasive treatment for patients who are suffering from chronic venous insufficiencies (CVI) with or without varicose veins.
StrideCare Specializes in Treatment for Edema in Legs
You deserve to have as much fun as possible during your next traveling excursion. Just be aware that leg swelling and edema can be unintended consequences. For many people, these symptoms of swelling will subside without any discomfort. For others, especially those already struggling with vein disease, it may become a bigger issue than anticipated. As a result, you may think that the only option is to avoid traveling altogether. This does not have to be the case, and StrideCare can help.
If any of the tips mentioned above do not reduce edema in legs symptoms, you always have us to rely on. StrideCare's mission is to surround ourselves with the best in this field so that our patients are never short of options for reclaiming their lives. StrideCare has long been a leader in multi-specialty care for treating lower-extremity vascular and podiatric conditions. That includes our ability to perform leading-edge procedures to treat artery and vein disease and symptoms that, while minor in their earliest stages, can eventually lead to more serious and life-interrupting issues. The experts at StrideCare will recommend a personalized plan to help you achieve the best results.
Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation. StrideCare continues to be a leader in performing leading-edge procedures to treat these and other conditions—all the while providing compassionate patient care.
Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.